Legal Counsel You Can Rely On

At Seige Law, we specialize in bringing the law to your corner. The practice serves a range of matters in the areas of law that most commonly touch every family. 

We are dedicated to understanding your needs and to helping you to achieve the legal outcome you desire.

We will work with you every step of the way to make sure that you fully comprehend the choices you are making, feel empowered to make them, and confident with the direction it takes you.

Mr. Seigenfeld handles matters primarily in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego County involving Family, Estates and Civil Law from our offices located in Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Westlake Village and San Diego (Carlsbad).

Born on the East Coast, Mr. Seigenfeld moved to California when he was nine.  He studied at UC Davis where he double majored in Political Science, and Communications, graduating in three years. After entering the workforce, he couldn't ignore his interest in law eventually starting a night program at the Ventura College of Law. He was subsequently admitted to the California State Bar and has been in practice ever since.  He currently attends a part-time LLM (post-doc) program through the Golden Gate University in Taxation and Estate Planning.

His professional accomplishments include, but are not limited to the following: (1) successful settlement of almost one thousand cases; (2) co-founder KFT Legal Aid Clinic; (3) board member of the Ventura County Bar Association 2020-present; (4) president of the Ventura County Barristers 2020; (5) treasurer of the Ventura County Barristers 2018 & 2019; (6) board member of the Ventura County Barristers 2017-2023; (7) Selected 2023-2025 as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers representing the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40.

Personal Life

"After graduating from law school, I went backpacking through Europe. It was there, in Rome, that I met my wife.  We now live happily Southern California.  In my spare time I enjoy tennis, hiking, snowboarding, kayaking, and playing musical instruments including the bass guitar and drums."

Ms. Coleman graduated with honors from Ventura College where she obtained her Associate Degree and then received her Juris Doctorate from the Ventura College of Law. She is licensed by the State Bar of California and has made appearances in Court on behalf of hundreds of clients over the years.

For the last fourteen years, Ms. Coleman has practiced in the following areas of law: criminal defense, civil litigation, and family law. She was a part-time instructor at University of California Santa Barbara Extension Paralegal Program from 2010-2016.

Ms. Coleman sat on the Ventura County Barristers Board from to 2009-2016. Since 2010, Ms. Coleman has sat on the editorial board of the Ventura County Bar Association magazine, Citations.  As a member of the editorial board of Citations, she published several judicial profiles as well as other articles related to local legal issues. 

Ms. Coleman also sits on the board of the Ventura County Bar Association and has been a board member since 2013. She has also been a volunteer arbitrator for the Ventura County Bar Association Mandatory Fee Arbitration program from 2013-2019 arbitrating fee disputes between clients and attorneys.

 Mr. Rutkowski received his Juris Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, after having studied psychology and biology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Since 2013 Mr. Rutkowski has practiced in all aspects of family law and probate guardianships. He is a former member of the Ventura County Bar Association Family Law board, and volunteers as a pro bono or reduced cost attorney to represent children as a court-appointed Minor's Counsel.

Mr. Rutkowski  is a Certified Family Law Specialist, having been certified by the State Bar of California as having expertise and experience in the field of family law.
Mr. Rutkowski lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, sons, and puppy. 

OXNARD OFFICE:

Rachel Coleman

Senior Litigation Counsel (Ext. 103)

Arears of Practice: representation is generally limited to Family and Civil Litigation in Santa Barbara and Ventura Superior Courts.

Senior Litigation Counsel 

[Employment Start Date: June 2025]

Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to the Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles Superior Courts in Family, Civil and Probate Law.  Counsel assists in other Venues remotely.

Mary Lane Seigenfeld

Director of Community Relations (Ext. 106)

Nadia Gray, J.D.

Paralegal Supervisor - Family and Civil Litigation (Ext. 110)

Farida Lemus

Case Manager and Senior Legal Assistant (Ext. 111)

(Previously, Ventura County Clerk - Assistant Supervisor)

Yesenia Aguayo

Certified Paralegal I - Estate Planning, Trust Administraion and Probate  (Ext. 112)

SANTA BARBARA OFFICE:

H. Frederick Seigenfeld, Esq. 

Principal and Managing Attorney (Ext. 101)

Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego Superior Courts in Family, Probate and Civil Law.

Michael J. Rutkowski, Esq.

Certified Family Law Specialist (Ext. 102)
Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to Santa Barbara and Ventura Superior Courts in Family, Probate and Civil Law; Counsel assists in other Venues remotely. 

Nicole Coulter, J.D. Candidate  

Paralegal I - Family Law (Ext. 107)

SAN DIEGO (CARLSBAD) OFFICE:

Susan J. Rosen, Esq.

Senior Family Law Counsel (Ext. 104)

Area(s) of Practice: representation is generally limited to the San Diego Superior Court in Family Law; Counsel assists in other Venues remotely.

Thomas DiFrancesco

Director of Client Relations (Ext. 13)

Ivan Hernandez, J.D.

Paralegal II - Attorney Candidate (Ext. 105)